Comments on Non-Supersymmetric Orientifolds at Strong Coupling

TL;DR

This paper investigates the strong coupling behavior of anti-Dp-branes near orientifold planes in type II string theory, revealing a phase transition involving antibrane creation and discussing implications for large antibrane configurations.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the non-supersymmetric, tachyon-free anti-brane systems at strong coupling, including phase transition phenomena and large number limits.

Findings

System undergoes a phase transition with antibrane creation at strong coupling.

System remains tachyon-free despite breaking all supersymmetries.

Remarks on the behavior of many antibranes on orientifold planes.

Abstract

We consider several properties of a set of anti-D$p$-branes in the presence of orientifold $p$-planes in type II theory. This system breaks all the supersymmetries of the theory, but is free of tachyons. In particular, we center on the case of a single anti-D$p$-brane stuck at a negatively charged orientifold $p$-plane, and study its strong coupling behaviour for $p=2,3,4$. Interestingly enough, as the coupling increases the system undergoes a phase transition where an additional antibrane is created. We conclude with some remarks on the limit of large number of antibranes on top of orientifold planes.